Feel Like A Bad Mum!

[shoemonster]

I'm glad you have an answer, I have been wondering if they had found a definate yet!

Joint guard is supposed to be really good

[zoepuppy]

Hi Melo, it's frustrating when you can't be sure what the problem is. My GSD has the same problem too with her right hind leg. She doesn't put weight on it whilst she is standing, but is happy to trot and run using her bad leg. She has no problems getting up and down the stairs, and up onto her couch.

After a visit to the vet and x-ray, she reckon that it was ostersarcoma (I started a thread on this a couple of days ago). I was referred to a specialist and he said he is 80% sure that my GSD has cancer and only had months to live. There and then he said to book her in in two days time to amputate her leg and half her hip. I was so distraught and my husband had further discussions with the specialist, and the specialist decided to do a a full blood work and take another set of x-rays. This time he said that my GSD condition didn't seem as bad as he first thought.

Could you believe this? I am really annoyed with the specialist for being so hasty in his diagnosis.

It took me weeks to get over the thought of my GSD leaving me. I had her since she was 8 weeks old. She is 13 now.

I also felt that I was a bad mum, and maybe still am for letting my GSD enduring this problem, but my husband says, just take one look at her and you'll know that she is happy as larry (a photo of her is in my thread).

Just enjoy your time with her.

[aki]

Hi Melo,

Well, good & bad news, at least you know what the problem is, anyone got a spare swimming pool?? for Tara,no seriously gentle exercise & hopefully Joint guard or similar will help. Some of the samfans posted an option to give their older sammies a doggie dosage of glucosamine/chondroitin which is really Sashas blend but the human equivalent. I will post a query today to see what dosage was given and any results/side effects and get back asap. In the meantime give her a big sammy hug from me (fellow sammy lover/owner) and keep happy

[Melo]

Zoepuppy, I feel your pain with the specialist being hasty, we have been through so much mis-diagnosis with both our dogs over the years not too mention I went through about 2 years of mis-diagnosis with a horse I owned only to eventually lose him cause they stuffed the treatment up. It is difficult, but feel sure the dogs will tell you when it is all too much.

Aki, Tara will be having regular swimming classes as there is an actual doggy swimming pool not far from home, just got to book her in. Mind you Tara has been on 2 of her 20 minute walks so far and is definately not complaining, major sammy smiles from her. I have ordered Joint Guard so will see how that goes, but any suggestions are very much appreciated.

[aki]

Hi Melo,

I posted the question for Tara on the samfans, already had 1 reply, here is what Lynn said:

"I have used human glucosamine/chondriton for my old girl for 4 years now (from age to 6 to now 10 1/2). We use the same one, Move Free Triple Strength. I think it would work better with MSM, but I'm highly allergic to MSM and break out just handling the pills with it as an ingredient. The dog handles the MSM just fine. She also gets 5 drops of yucca extract daily to reduce inflammation.

For an elbow separation, I might suggest some alternatives - massage using accupressure points or even accupuncture. My girl had a soft tissue injury in her elbow when she was 6. Rimadyl and aspirin did nothing for her, but 30 minutes of massage at the 2001 National Specialty cleared it up for good.

You could also try Dog Gone Pain, called DGP. I have not used this but have ordered it after hearing how well it works."

This lady is in the US, so the products may not be available in Oz. On the acupuncture, reminds me of another sammy that lives close by who has hip dysplasia for quite a few years, the owner said she has acupunture for Kita once every 2 weeks and it makes a huge difference, something to think about??

If I get any more replies, i will post them

Aki

[ShesaLikeableBiBear]

Hi Melo

Have just been reading your post and note you mention that Sasha's blend doesnt seem to be working.

I have three over 5 y.o. and give them a senior dog food which has added chrondoitin and glucosamine and I also give them a glucosamine tablet every morning.

You may want to google "Missing Link", avail through vetproductsdirect. Personally I havent used it but have spoken to some who do and they "swear" by it.

Good luck